The 2.5% increase in National Minimum Wage announced last week will add to the pressure on retailers trying to grow their businesses and create jobs, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned. 

New 40,000sq ft standalone home shop is set to open in Newbury town centre in 2012, taking the total number of John Lewis at home stores to eight by 2012. 

Home improvement chain allows couples to create their own page, inviting guests to pledge money towards DIY projects, rather than buy gifts. 

The total number of insolvencies in the UK fell by 12.5% in February compared with the same month last year, bringing the rate of insolvencies down from 0.10% to 0.08%. 

City speculation about a possible buyout of Homebase parent Home Retail Group has been rife this week. 

Retailer reports tough trading conditions and a 'weak floorcoverings market' in the UK and ROI, resulting in a second profit warning for the year. 

Retail is the first industry to come under scrutiny as part of the Government's campaign to tackle unnecessary regulation, which kicked off today. 

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has today offered council tenants a cashback deal worth billions to carry out their own home repairs. 

Merseyside cooker manufacturer Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, which supplies cookers under the Stoves brand and is a sister company to Morphy Richards, is being investigated by police as a result of allegations of major fraud at the factory. 

Hughes Electrical has reopened the six Bennetts stores it acquired after the company entered administration last month. 

Amendments to the Consumer Rights Directive will see e-tailers foot the bill for the return of goods valued at less than €40, further ramping up delivery costs, says IMRG. 

Tile Depot's newest store officially opened in Tonbridge, Kent on Saturday (April 2), creating three jobs. 

Department store chain launches new advertorial campaign highlighting its position as first European retailer to offer an own-brand range of large electrical appliances that is A-rated or above. 

DIY chain chooses not to renew lease on "unprofitable" store, with outlet to close its doors later this month. 

The Government has announced proposals to improve the transparency of pre-pack administrations, but the British Property Federation says the new rules don't do enough to stop the system being exploited. 

Woolies-style retailer appoints insolvency and restructuring specialist Leonard Curtis. 

Tough trading conditions leads to appointment of MCR on Friday but administrators are hopeful of finding a buyer for the furniture firm. 

Boyd Douglas-Davies to step down from his role at Webbs after nearly 20 years to pursue new venture with The Hillview Group (THG). 

Electricals group Dixons Retail plc has issued a second profit warning after a poor trading performance hit by deteriorating consumer confidence. 

Swedish retailer asks customers who have a Förstå coffee/tea maker to stop using the product and bring it back to any store for a full refund, after 12 people are burnt.